Motorola W490 Comprehensive Specs Pricing & Review

Introduction to Motorola W490

The Motorola W490, released in 2007, marked another significant entry in Motorola's lineup of feature phones during the late 2000s. At a time when the mobile phone market was beginning to transition towards smartphones, the W490 adhered to traditional feature phone capabilities, focusing on simplicity and reliability. With its durable design, compact form factor, and essential multimedia functions, the W490 catered to users seeking a straightforward mobile experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola W490 boasts dimensions of 98.8 x 48 x 17.3 mm, making it compact and easy to handle. Weighing 107 grams, it is lightweight yet robust, making it a durable option for everyday use. The phone features a clamshell design, which was popular during that era. This design not only provided protection to the display when the phone was closed but also gave users the satisfaction of ending calls with a flip. Available in colors like Black, Purple, and Green, it offered some level of personalization to users.

Display Features

The device is equipped with a 1.9-inch TFT display that supports 256K colors. With a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, it offers a modest visual experience suitable for basic phone functions such as messaging and call management. Although the screen-to-body ratio is only about 24%, the display serves its purposes well for a feature phone.

Camera Capabilities

The Motorola W490 sports a single rear camera with a 1.3 MP sensor capable of capturing photos and basic video. While rudimentary compared to today's standards, this camera was sufficient for capturing simple, quick snapshots and added a multimedia facet to the device, which was a desirable feature at the time of its release.

Network and Connectivity

Designed to operate on GSM networks, the W490 supports bands 850/900/1800/1900, allowing international roaming across various regions. It includes GPRS Class 10 for data connectivity, although EDGE support is not available. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP allows wireless audio streaming and makes connectivity with other devices possible. However, the phone lacks more modern connectivity options like WLAN and positioning services.

Battery Life

The W490 is powered by a removable Li-Ion battery that provides up to 350 hours of standby time and up to 7 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. These numbers are impressive for a feature phone and ensure that users can go through their day with minimal worry about recharging.

Storage and Memory

The phone includes 5MB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSD card slot. While limited by modern standards, this storage capacity was adequate for basic use, such as storing contacts, messages, and a few personal photos or ringtones. The phonebook supports up to 1000 entries with photocall capability, which is quite practical for storing contacts.

Messaging and Multimedia Features

The Motorola W490 offers a range of messaging options including SMS, MMS, and Email, aligning with the communication demands of its user base. Additionally, the phone includes support for downloadable polyphonic, MP3, and AAC ringtones, enhancing its multimedia appeal. Java support with MIDP 2.0 allows for the installation of additional applications and games, expanding its functionality to some extent.

Additional Features

Despite being a feature phone, the W490 includes a series of useful extras. It supports WAP 2.0/xHTML for basic web browsing, although the lack of high-speed data options limits the online experience. The phone also comes with a miniUSB port for connectivity, allowing file transfers between the device and computers or other compatible gadgets.

Conclusion

The Motorola W490 stands as a representative of the feature phone era, offering essential functionalities focused on communication and reliability. Although the mobile phone landscape has dramatically evolved since the W490 was released, it still holds sentimental value for those who experienced the simplicity and efficiency of feature phones. Priced modestly at about 50 EUR during its prime, it serves as an enduring symbol of Motorola's commitment to producing user-friendly and dependable mobile phones.